Tooth-brush holder and sterilizer.



PATENTED JULY 31, 1906.'

D. M. HITGH. TOOTH BRUSH HOLDER AND STERILI-ZER.

I PLIOTION EILIID JAN. 27. 1906.

l UNITED ASTAI IJS PATENT, oFIIIoE.

DAVID MARSHALL HrrcH, yor LANSDowN'E, PENNSYLVANIA.

TooTH-BRusHi-'IOLDER' ANDSTERILIZER.'

' No. s27,3os.

To all, whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, DAVID MARSHALL such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same. My invention relates to containers for tooth-brushes for holding the same when not l in use, my object being to provide a container of convenient size and shape which will thoroughly sterilize tooth-brushes laced therein.

By repeated bacteriologica tests I have ascertained that tooth-brushes after having 'been in use for but a short time exhibit germlife to a marked degree, this also being true of q brushes which have been immersed in a sterilizing liquid of a kind capable of .being usedl m the mouth. I have further demonstrated that by placing the brushes in closed container's supplied with a germicide, such as formaldehyde-gas, they are kept entirely free of germs, by this means all germs beingeither p destroyed or rendered innocuous.

For the purpose of sterilizing-tooth-brushes in the manner abovementioned I have devised a container consisting of a tubular body having a closure at one end and having a receptaclev at its opposite end for holding a Isterilizing agent. I i

A sim le embodiment of my invention is indicated) in the accompanying drawings and described in the following. specification and vthe invention pointed out in the claims. at the conclusion ofsaid specification.

In said drawings, Figure 1 is a sectional View of the container, and Fig. 2 is a similar vview showing the arts separated.

The containerilustrated in the drawings consists of a tubular glass body A of a size and shape adapting it to hold a tooth-brush. One end of said body is closed by acap B, having threaded connection therewith, while the opposite end is provided with a receptacle or box C for holding the sterilizing agent or germicide. A perforated plate D is attached to the body for closing the end thereofv to which said receptacle is applied, the plate being secured to the body by way of a `threaded ring or flange d.. Preferably this plate D is cemented in place. The receptacle f is likewise threaded and is attached to the Specification of Letters Patent. i Application led January 27, 1906. Serial No. 298.124.

Patented July 31, 1906.

body by screwing 'upon the ring d ofthe plate.

The germicide may be either a liquid, as

formaldehyde solution, or solid in the form of tablets or grains, as preferred. If a liquid is used, a sponge or other absorbent material E is placed within the receptacle and saturated with the liquid.

To enable the container to stand in an upright osition with the germicide-receptacle at its ower end, vthe bottom C of said rece tacle should be made flat, while the' top of t e 'i cap B may be rounded. The container also may be provided with a ring F, by means of which it maybe hung up. After using, the tooth-brush-to be disinfected is placed within the container and the top thereof closed by the cap B, the brush resting upon the plate D. The gas emanating from/the receptacle lls the container and thoroughly sterilizes l the brush. I

The body may be made of glass or of metal, as preferred, and the perforated plate may be integral with the body.v It is'also to be noted that wire mesh may be substituted for the perforated' plate, the object of which is to .separate the interior of the body from the interior of the germicide-receptacle, thus preventing the liquid or solid germicide, `as 4the case may be, from entering the container roperand also preventing the tooth-brush rom coming in contact with the ermicide.

.My im roved container .not on y provides a means or holding toothbrushes when not in use, but, asbefore stated, it' completely sterilizes them, thus keeping them always pure and clean. The brushes do not come in direct contact with the dry or liquid germicide, but are subjected while in the container to the sterilizing action of the gas produced by said germicide. Hence they are' always in condition. for instant use. The .supply of the germicide may readily be renewed by simply pouring fresh liquidupon the absorbent in the receptacle, if a liquid be used, and by substituting some new tablets or grains for the spent ones if a solid germicide beused.

' I claim as my invention- I 1. In a tooth-brush container and sterilizer the combination of a tubular body for holding a tooth-brush, one end of said body being open, a perforated plate at the other end of said bod anda germicide-receptacle having. detacha le connection with that end of said holder provided with the perforated plate, said plate separating the interior of the IOO IIO

body from the interior of the germioide-reoeptaole, and the latter being ca able of removal Without disturbing said p ate.

2. In 'a tooth-brush container and sterilizer7 the combination of a tubular body for l holding a tooth-brush, said body being open at its opposite ends, a closure for one of said ends, a perforated plate having detachable connection With the opposite open end, and a germioide-reoeptaole having detachable oonneotion With that end of said holder to which the perforated plate is attached, said plate separating the interior of the bod from the 1 interior of the germicide-receptao e, and the latter being capable of removal Without dis- I5 tubing said plate.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses. i

DAVID MARSHALL HITCH. Witnessesz v GEO. C. BARBER, Jr., HOWARD K. RUDOLPH. 

